Big Little Lies

A murder... a tragic accident... or just parents behaving badly? What's indisputable is that someone is dead. But who did what? Big Little Lies follows three women, each at a crossroads: Madeline is a force to be reckoned with. She's funny and biting, passionate, she remembers everything and forgives no one. Her ex-husband and his yogi new wife have moved into her beloved beachside community, and their daughter is in the same kindergarten class as Madeline's youngest (how is this possible?). And to top it all off, Madeline's teenage daughter seems to be choosing Madeline's ex-husband over her. (How. Is. This. Possible?). Celeste is the kind of beautiful woman who makes the world stop and stare. While she may seem a bit flustered at times, who wouldn't be, with those rambunctious twin boys? Now that the boys are starting school, Celeste and her husband look set to become the king and queen of the school parent body. But royalty often comes at a price, and Celeste is grappling with how much more she is willing to pay. New to town, single mom Jane is so young that another mother mistakes her for the nanny. Jane is sad beyond her years and harbors secret doubts about her son. But why? While Madeline and Celeste soon take Jane under their wing, none of them realizes how the arrival of Jane and her inscrutable little boy will affect them all.

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a great fun easy book to read! i felt the narrative of the book was unique and refreshing.
I was pleasantly surprised as this book was a page turner. Wanted to know who the victim was and what had happened. i was surprised at the end! Looking forward to watching the TV series.

I can say that this book is a page turner. But its not great otherwise. Overall, the group of women are stereo-typically gossipy, mean-spirited, competitive and cliquey, for example the PTA women are the 'Blond Bobs.' Really. Jane is the most sympathetic character, followed by Ed. And while the book takes place in Australia the reader gets no feel for the setting at all out side of the occasional, "g'day Mate."

The Whistler Public Library and Armchair Books Community Book Club read "Big Little Lies" in July 2017. This novel surprised many of us; it was chosen as our "light summer read", but it has surprising depth and handles some serious subject matter very well. Much like the TV series, I think many "serious" readers dismissed this book out of hand because of the premise - what could a book about gossipy kindergarten moms have to offer a lover of literature? But even those of us without children (which was 80% of the group on this occasion) found much common ground with these characters.

We particularly enjoyed discussing:
- How parenting has changed since our childhoods (some more distant than others), and how it has stayed the same. In the same vein, what are the new challenges that 21st century parents are facing?
- The depiction of female friendship/relationships in this novel, particularly in the climactic scene. Our three main characters are fiercely loyal to one another, and even those women who are hardly "friends" band together to protect one another when needed.
- The inclusion of emotional and physical abuse in this supposedly "light-hearted" story. This added surprising depth to both Jane's and Celeste's backstories, and made what could have been a couple of pretty one-dimensional characters that much more complex.

This is my favorite book of hers. I have read it more times than I can count. It's like hanging out with close friends. This book is difficult to put down and before you know it, you are on the last page. Great read!

This book was an easy, fast read. I really connected with the character, Jane. The ending/climax of the story took me by surprise and even brought some tears! Some tough subject matter is present throughout this story.

when i first started the book, i was a bit thrown off by the narrative style. but i decided to stick with it and am so glad i did. a fun page-turner that reminded me of a classic mystery, i found myself unable to put it down and was disappointed when the book ended.

Summary

A murder ... a tragic accident...or just parents behaving badly? What's indisputable is that someone is dead, but who is responsible?

This novel jumps back and forth between the events leading up to, and following a suspicious death at the Pirriwee Public School parent body trivia night. It focuses on three mothers, each at a crossroad in their lives, whose children attend the same school. Madeline is a woman who remembers everything and forgives no one, is struggling to come to terms with a defiant teenage daughter who prefers to be with her ex-husband and his yogi wife. Celeste is a stunningly beautiful mother of twin mischievous boys is married to a hedge fund husband; to all appearances they are set to be the next king and queen of the parent body. Then there is, new-to-town single mom Jane who has concerns about her son is taken under the wing of Madeline and Celeste. When an incident occurs at school involving Jane’s son, drama inevitably ensues.

Liane Moriarty writes a fast paced and engrossing novel filled with suspense and a splash of witty and humorous dialog, surrounded by a wonderful cast of characters who are both flawed and relatable. Her story showcases the effects of school yard gossip, where appearances can be deceiving and you never really know what someone else is going through or what secrets they are keeping. Sometimes it is the little lies that we tell ourselves that can turn out to be the most lethal.

Despite the size of this book, it will have you reading late until the night.